Panic Disorder

There is no one cause for panic attacks so the treatment varies from person to person. Treatement typically involves Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, natural vitamins and herbs, psychotherapy, and/or medication. Holistic treatments like meditation and relaxation therapy have been used with some success because of the ability to change the neurological patterns in the mind and release tension in the body.

If you’re in the middle of an anxiety attack and have not already started practicing the natural treatment options mentioned above, your best couse of action may be to utilize anti-anxiety medication such as Klonopin or Xanax. This is a temporary solution and not something to be relied upon long-term because anti-anxiety medications can be addictive and have potentially dangerous side effects.

Patience learning cognitive behavioral therapy are taught to utilize deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques to deal with the panic attack symptoms. They are also taught to remember that there is nothing to fear when having a panic attack. The most common fears experienced by people having panic attacks are that they are having a heart attack or dying. Once people learn that neither of these fears are validated by reality, they can learn to relax and accept the panic attack which often allows it to pass quicker and with less severity.

Antidepressants like Prozac and Lexapro can also help to reduce the frequency and degree of panic attacks. The most common form of antidepressants prescribed for people suffering from general anxiety are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI’s. While other antidepressants can be prescribed, this group is often considered first for people suffering from anxiety and panic disorders.

When starting with any new antidepressant medication it is important to start with a low dose and gradually build up to higher dosages as you assess tolerance as some of these medications can actually cause symptoms of anxiety in some individuals.

One of the best ways to prevent panic attacks is to become more aware of the symptoms that preceed them. When you feel a panic attack coming on, it is important to remember that you have had them before and survived without any real problems. It’s also to important that many of the fears people experience before and during a panic attack are not realistic (i.e. heart attack & death). A grounded sense for what’s really taking place is of paramount importance.

Decrease your levels of anxiousness each day by practicing medication, deep breathing, and get plenty of physical exercise. Hypnosis and guided imagery can also both be used to effectively decrease anxiety as part of a holistic program.